~Pamela Susan~

{Somethings}

I love having something to do after the kidlets have been tucked in bed... something to help de-stress me from the day.  And these "somethings" change all the time... sometimes it's crafting, reading, yoga, knitting, all sorts of things.  And sometimes it's just sipping a mug of yummy herbal tea. 

My latest "something" (though I really should be organizing my craft room, because boy, if you saw the state it's in right now I'd have to help you pick your jaw up off the ground!) is making a doll quilt for Miss A's birthday this summer.  Oh, how I'm in love with these fabrics!  One visit to Amy's blog inspired the hexagonal hand-sewn quilt... I'm in love with her site.  And I'm in love with Sew Deerly Loved's  fabric!

Technically, I don't think I'm making the hexagons correctly.  I think I'm supposed to be sewing through the hexagon paper cut-outs, but typical me decided to just wing it and figure it out.  So far I think it's working.  We'll see...

I love learning a new skill, and taking the mystery out of the project that initially intimidated me.  Sort of empowering, ya know?

What kind of "somethings" are you working on?

 

xo,

Pamela

 

My dresser is done!

Two posts in two days?  What's happening to me?  I'm beginning to feel like my old self again. :)

Okay, so even though the natural lighting in this bedroom is horrible, and you can't really tell that the paint I used is a light seafoam green (I used Martha Stewart's Rain Washed paint color), I still wanted to show you the before and after of this wonderful garage sale find. 

So once again, here's the before...

And here's the after...

(Okay, now that I see the pictures side by side, the "after" picture really doesn't do the paint job justice AT ALL, darnit!  But at least you get an idea of what it's like.)

I even painted the inside, which I'm not always accustomed to doing.

Here's my little vintage feathered friend sitting quite comfortably on top... isn't he cute?

I cheated and used regular white craft paint to rub in the crevices of the detail on front.

Also, I didn't like the stark contrast of the dark knobs against the light paint, so rubbing some of the same white paint on the knobs solved the problem.  I love how it turned out!

And speaking of dressers, look what's sitting on top of my bedroom dresser... a gorgeous orchid that my Aaron gifted me with on Mother's Day.

This pretty blossom opened up just yesterday...

Gorgeous.  And is it just me, or does the middle of the orchid resemble a bald eagle?!  I swear I think this every time I look at it.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  We're getting ready for a game night with family and good food.  Can't wait. :)

xo,

Pamela

 

 

{A garage sale treasure}

Take a looksy at what I found at a garage sale over the weekend... only $30!  It is in such great shape, too.

Just needs a paint makeover.

What color do you think I should paint it? (It'll go in either the girls' room or my craft room.)

Cream?  Light seafoam green?  You know I loooove seafoam green.  Ahh, the possibilities.

Actually, somewhere in our storage unit are two gallons of different shades of light aqua/green that I purchased at Lowes for $5 each.  Who knows how long they'll take to find, though! 

Also, now that we've moved, Anthropologie is a 10 minute drive from our home... perhaps I'll score some knobs for the dresser at their next sale??

Can't wait to get started on this beauty...

 

xo,

Pamela

 

Friday. Finally!

Boy.  I don't know about you but this has been a long old week for me.  I'm more than ready to welcome the upcoming two-day break.  And the sun that has been forecasted to make its appearance tomorrow.  It's about time!

Things are going well in the land of Oregon.  Oh how I love living closer to family!  I've even been able to connect with some old high school friends. 

Yes, life is good.

But real quick... I didn't pop on here to talk about weather or our recent move.  No, I wanted to share with ya'll that I've decided to take down my goods that are currently in the Commerce Corner Collectibles in Longview, WA.  Since I no longer live there I figure it's best to bring them home and sell them on Etsy the next time I open the shop.

I think I might even sell the darling shabby-chic curio cabinet that houses on my pretties there in the store...

Oh, but I do love it.  Perhaps I'll find a place to store it here in our home.  Well, I guess I have a couple weeks to decide!

But there should be a couple of these designer party hats left to choose from before I head up to pack everything...

 

(oh, and I don't think I ever introduced you to Penelope the Bird, who sports her very own party hat!  ain't she a cutie??)

And there might be a few gift boxes left (I don't know for sure since I haven't been there for a while)...

My favorite is the white one with the flower on top.  The flower is actually a hairpin that comes off the box!

And of course there will be some jewelry with their very own boxes...

So if you're in Longview and you're in the need some of jewelry or party hats, head on down to Commerce Corner Collectibles (located on the corner of Commerce & Broadway).  My stuff will be there for the next couple weeks!

And here's to Friday!  HAPPY WEEKEND!

xo,

Pamelalala

 

Happy Easter!! {and here's a new twist on the mini Lindt chocolate bunnies, chicks, and lamb craft from last year!}

Ahh, Easter.  The holiday that brings out bunnies, chocolate and flowers.  Even though we just moved and can't find out Easter decorations, I was able to dig out some scrapbook paper, plastic baggies, trim, Lindt mini chocolates, and my trusty hot glue gun.  Do you remember the teeny-weeny Easter baskets I made last year?  Here's a new little twist on them--I added plastic Easter grass to the bottom and got busy decorating the tops...

They really are a hoot to make; you should make some!  They put a smile on my face and hope it does the same for their recipients!

And some more yummies... Easter egg cookies!  The girls and I had a grand ol' time in the kitchen dressing them up.

Lay them atop a plate of Easter grass and drop them off to friends and family!

Another tasty treat my tummy enjoys this time of year are Whopper's malt eggs... scrumptious.  I've been known to eat mass quantities of these little buggers at one sitting.  MASS QUANTITIES, I tell you!

And take a looksy at these beautiful tulips Aaron brought home to me a few days ago.  Their presence in the kitchen put a smile on my face each time I enter the room.

But amidst all the fun decorations and goodies that Easter brings, I try to keep my focus on the real reason for Easter.  If you have an extra 2 minutes and 40 seconds to watch this video, please do!  

 

 

 

xo,

Pamela

p.s. I have a feeling the Easter Bunny is bringing some friends for the girls' Strawberry Shortcake Collection... which ones will they be?? :)

Our adopted gnomes...

Remember the Valentine gnomes I mentioned a couple posts ago?  Here they are!  Meet Tom and Cally, our latest additions to our Fairy Village.  (Tom belongs to Miss A, and Cally to Miss C.)

The creation of this cute little couple was a family affair:  my sister Holly drew them on the wood, my Dad cut them out, and I wood-burned and painted them (she was going to burn and paint them herself but we ran out of time before she had to fly back home to Utah).  I think Holly could totally sell these, don't you?

I was afraid the wood burner would have issues preserving the delicate facial features but luckily there was a tip fine enough to do the trick.

And if you're asking yourself what gift Miss J received, let me introduce Mr. Skunk to you. 

Ain't he a cutie?  I purchased him a few months ago while Amber Dusick's etsy shop was still open (I had to own another Amber original!)  For those of you who don't know who Amber is, you should get to know her.  She recently started the parenting blog, Crappy Pictures, that has taken off like no other blog I've ever seen!  Saying she's downright hilarious would be an understatement.  I'm thrilled for her and her success!

But we have to keep an eye on Mr. Skunk... he's constantly getting into mischief.  Or as Miss A likes to call him, a "mischiefer".  hee hee

Yes, our Love Day was filled with fun.

I was even able to find some time to make our sweet little Kelsi a felted Valentine cookie.  (Thank you for all your kind words and prayers on her behalf!  The stem cell transplant was a success, and she continues to feel a teeny bit better, but come March 28 and she has to go through it all over again--chemo and another stem cell transplant in hopes to kill off any remaining cancer cells.  Yes, this little girl can use all the prayers you can offer.)

I'm sure you've seen the following style of headband plastered all over the internet this past year.  I've been admiring them for quite some time now (they're just too cute!) and had to join the copy-cat wagon to make one for her cute little bald head.

I'll try to get a picture of her with it on to show you... it was part of her birthday outfit when she turned 2 two weeks ago!  Such a little sweetie.

If you want to make one, too, just follow the directions in this tutorial but make three and glue them together.  This little craft will surely bring a smile to your face!

 

I hope you're all well!

xo,

Pamela,

Snowman Cake Pops!

Just caught wind that it might snow in a few days... finally!  I've been waiting for some magical white flakes to fall from the sky.  Winter just ain't winter without a little bit of snow! 

And if it does snow, I think we'll create more Snowman Cake Pops to celebrate.  (I'll use any excuse to make cake pops!) I made these little guys over Christmas break...

I love how a few oreos (regular and mini size) and a snippet of a dried apricot can transform my snowball cake pops into something even tastier.  The perfect companion for hot cocoa, in my little opinion.

Have you ever made cake pops?  If so, what kind?  I'd love to know. :)

Happy weekend!

xox~

Pamela

DIY Mr. Mummy Lantern :{{a super easy peasy halloween craft}}:

It's been a while since I shared a craft with ya'll, hasn't it?  Want to make a quick and easy Halloween Mummy Lantern?  Alright!  Then gather the following items:

~wide mouth canning jar

~hot glue gun

~strips of cheese cloth/ gauze

~scissors/ large hole punch

~white and black paper for eyes

~scrapbooking jewel brads

~pliers

~candles

To make Mr. Mummy, first remove the backs off the 2 jewel brads with pliers; glue to the paper eyes. Then wrap a large strip of gauze around jar and hot glue the eyes to the front, then wrap the strips of gauze around jar numerous times to mummify him; adhere ends to jar with hot glue gun.  Place candles inside, light, and your done! 

Told ya he was super easy peasy to make!!

 

 

**But please note: I know I probably don't even need to mention this but PLEASE be careful with the candles!  Make sure the gauze doesn't overlap the lip of the jar and reach the flame.  I reeeealllyyyy don't want you to start a house fire.  And please keep your Mr. Mummy Lantern out of your kiddos reach.  Candles/lanterns + children= not smart, not good.

Both quart and pint size jars grouped together would be cute, don't ya think?  I hope you give it a try.

Have fun!

 

xo,

Pamela, a gal whose not big on scary Halloween decor but thought Mr. Mummy was kinda cute

 

Easter Fun

First off, I'm loving your suggestions for the earrings!  Great work everybody!  Keep 'em comin'!

Okay, so before I head to bed I wanted to quickly share with you pictures from our Easter.  After church my in-laws came up from Portland to spend the day with us, along with Miss Harriet.  It was a grand time.

The girls loved their new dresses.  I didn't think outside pictures were a possibility due to the constant rain but luckily we received a 15 minute break in between showers.  Hooray!

If you can't tell, Miss C is practicing being a mime.  Or something like that.

And nevermind the fact I couldn't get them to stand still.  What a futile attempt that was.

 

I am so grateful for Harriett... I couldn't have made the dresses without her!  She is such an angel.

The girls adore her.

Yes, Harriett and my in-laws spoiled the girls rotten that day.  Cards, candy, and toys filled our home.

 

So did lemon cake, guitar music, and family time.

Oh, and these little guys, too.  The Easter Bunny found some vintage My Little Ponies/dolls a while ago on eBay (actually, I bought an assortment of them before Christmas but didn't feel like giving all the toys to them all at once--I wanted to space them out thoughout the year.  Oh, how I prefer the vintage ponies over the modern ones!  But I'll save that topic for another day.

Yes, it was a fun-filled day spent with people we love.  And I'm grateful Harriet was so willing to help me reach my goal of making the girls' dresses for Sunday.  The things I learned:  how to place a zipper, buttons, how to gather, attach lace, place elastic in sleeves, make a collar, but most importantly, to never, ever make three dresses in one week again.  One dress?  Sure.  Three?  No.  But in the end, I'm glad I did it.  Seeing the girls' smiles while wearing them made the sleepless nights worth it.

I hope your Easter was filled with love and happiness!

 

xo,

Pamela

A DIY (sorta--the box is already made!) Trinket Box and Fabric Carrot Treats... my kind of crafting

Two more Easter project ideas coming right up!  I know this is a little late but the first one could be a fun Mother's Day gift, too!  Or even a baby shower gift.  Or perhaps any occasion at all!  If the recipient is girly, that is. 

Miss A's school recently hosted a carnival/fundraiser and we had the option of donating something for the raffle so we did.  At first I wanted to donate a basket filled with handmade hair accessories but then a trip to Michael's inspired a trinket box filled with all sorts of goodies.  It started with a wooden jewelry box for only $7.99.   I couldn't resist it.  Take in a coupon to purchase it cheaper!
(I always use this website for coupons. Today there's one for 30% off your entire purchase!)

 

 

Slap on some spray paint (I used my favorite one--Krylon's Catalina Mist), modgepodge scrapbook paper to the inside, and adorn it with a paper flower.  It's such a fun project.  I was happy the entire time while making it.

Don't forget to fill it with goodies! Obviously I chose hair accessories and jewelry but candy and love notes would be sweet, too!

The cupcake and fabric button bobby pins are scrapbooking brads with their backs removed and glued to  bobby pins.  I bought my pins off etsy but maybe they're available in stores??  E-6000 is the perfect glue to adhere them. 

Recognize the fabric flowers?  I knew they'd come in handy.  The flowers on the left were my attempt to copy the pink flower that came with the others.  Using only a hot glue gun worked but left the tips of my fingers quite the mess.  Whatever works is my motto. :)

The paper flower was made by folding a strip of paper around in a circle while creasing the folds; hot glue to a small paper circle.  Repeat step but make a smaller one in contrasting paper and top it with a half pearl from the scrapbooking aisle.  Have you seen these pearls?  They're everywhere in Michael's.  I didn't know what I was going to do with them when I purchased them (they were marked down to $.49 from $3--again, I couldn't resist.)  Same with the paper leaves.  Bought 'em a while ago with no idea what to do with them.  I'm glad they've come in handy.

Want to place a label on the box?  Be my guest.

The second idea is one I fell in love with as soon as my friend Susan sent me the picture.  Fabric carrots filled with candy!  She made them for the group of gals at church.  I wonder if I can squeeze some time in tonight to make a few myself?  If not but I can always make them next year!  Catch the free pattern here!

 

Happy crafting!

 

xo,

Pamela